Exploring the themes of 'Hansel and Gretel'
I can identify and justify the key themes in 'Hansel and Gretel'.
Exploring the themes of 'Hansel and Gretel'
I can identify and justify the key themes in 'Hansel and Gretel'.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- A theme is a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story.
- Readers can interpret the importance of themes, ideas and messages differently.
- 'Hansel and Gretel' explores a variety of themes linked to morality.
- Analysing themes can help us consider human morality and positively impact the people we want to be.
Keywords
Theme - a big idea, topic or message that recurs within a story
Recurring - when something appears repeatedly
Convey - to communicate a message to the reader directly or indirectly
Analyse - to examine something in detail in order to understand it
Justify - to show or prove something using evidence
Common misconception
Children might initially confuse the meaning and differences of genre and themes.
Although certain genres of text explore common themes, these themes can vary from text to text.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Order the key events in Anthony Browne's adaptation of 'Hansel and Gretel'.
Q2.Match the vocabulary to the correct definition.
a children's story about magical/imaginary beings and lands
a genre in which oral stories are passed down over time
a lesson that can be learnt from a story or experience
the way a character is portrayed in a story
to communicate a message directly or indirectly
to examine something in detail in order to understand it
Q3.Select all of the good qualities shown by characters in 'Hansel and Gretel'.
Q4.Select all of the evil characteristics shown by characters in 'Hansel and Gretel'.
Q5.How does the author Anthony Browne use illustrations to enhance the meaning of his adaptation of 'Hansel and Gretel'?
Q6.What evidence is there to suggest that the stepmother and the witch are the same person?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to the correct definition.
to communicate a message to the reader
to examine something in detail in order to understand it
to show or prove something using evidence
Q2.What is a theme in a story?
Q3. Which of the following are themes from the story 'Hansel and Gretel'?
Q4.Match the theme from 'Hansel and Gretel' to the correct definition.
keeping someone safe from harm or injury
the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate
putting another person’s needs before your own